Photo: Hugh Thornton wore a Chief Illiniwek helmet decal in Senior Bowl

[illini1]

I'm watching the Senior Bowl and Hugh Thornton has a big Chief decal on his helmet on the back part of his helmet! It looks great!

[AHSIllini32]

I'm watching it right now as well and I don't see it on his helmet.

[illini1]

Here's a picture I took from my TV. Sorry for the bad quality.

[AHSIllini32]

Nice! Stupid NCAA!! That logo would be so sick on our helmets.

[Lovethechief78]

LOVE THIS!!!!!! Hugh Thornton, YOU are one fantastic Illini!

Sit on a tack and spin, NCAA!!

[OrangeAndBlue217]

Sooooo.... what does the NCAA do about this? Can they do anyhing?

[Lovethechief78]

Originally Posted by OrangeAndBlue217

Sooooo.... what does the NCAA do about this? Can they do anyhing?

Another question is what our wonderful politcally correct alma mater will do about it...If they will hassle MI members for a 1 inch Chief logo on their OWN t-shirts during rehearsals, I'm sure they could and would yank any player of our out of a game for this.. MAKES MY BLOOD BOIL!

[illini1]

Originally Posted by Lovethechief78

Another question is what our wonderful politcally correct alma mater will do about it...If they will hassle MI members for a 1 inch Chief logo on their OWN t-shirts during rehearsals, I'm sure they could and would yank any player of our out of a game for this.. MAKES MY BLOOD BOIL!

They can't do anything to him. He's going pro, so I doubt he's even enrolled in school this semester.

[skamin7]

I love every minute of this. I remember all the players that had tat's related to the chief. It has been a while but I'm so glad someone is stepping up and doing this. He might be one of new favorite former players now.

[uncle feisty]

Wait, Hugh Thornton was good enough to get invited to the Senior Bowl? My fault... That was not nice. I do like his helmet though!

[wpr]

Originally Posted by skamin7

I love every minute of this. I remember all the players that had tat's related to the chief. It has been a while but I'm so glad someone is stepping up and doing this. He might be one of new favorite former players now.

yep. he gets a big bump up my list of favorite players.
nicely done Hugh. The NCAA can try and sanitize everything but there is still Freedom of Speech.

[rolo]

This makes me smile

[chiefini]

Even though I'm not a Giants fan, I have always cheered for Dave Diehl from the University of Chief Illiniwek. I hope I have a new NFL Illini alum to cheer for. Good for you, Hugh Thornton. The Chief, forever and always

[carmelillini]

Take that you bunch of hypocrites in Indianapolis!
Oskee wow wow!

[Illinigirl]

Love it! Wish our new helmets could have this!

[Illinnoying Orange]

Big thumbs up to Hugh for wearing the chief decal!

[BZuppke]

Did the announcers comment on it? Regardless, it is interesting (and comforting) to note that Illini still revere the Chief despite the NCAA and our craven BOT.

[Illiniaaron]

I would love that on the helmets. How can you possibly look at that and not see it as an honorable depiction of a Native American? Can any of you answer this question for me-is the University still marketing merchandise with that logo, and if so, how can the NCAA keep it off the helmet? Thanks.

[Ransom Stoddard]

Originally Posted by Illiniaaron

I would love that on the helmets. How can you possibly look at that and not see it as an honorable depiction of a Native American? Can any of you answer this question for me-is the University still marketing merchandise with that logo, and if so, how can the NCAA keep it off the helmet? Thanks.

The university is not. Part of the agreement was that the likeness of Chief remain a copyright owned by the University, and that the likeness was to never again be used, licensed, etc. Remaining inventory could be sold, but nothing new could be manufactured.

As to how it is not viewed as an honorable depiction--I guess it depends on where your great-great-great-great-great grandparents were born.

You can start here for how some of the UIUC faculty view it: http://www.ais.illinois.edu/mascot/

[Illiniaaron]

Originally Posted by Ransom Stoddard

The university is not. Part of the agreement was that the likeness of Chief remain a copyright owned by the University, and that the likeness was to never again be used, licensed, etc. Remaining inventory could be sold, but nothing new could be manufactured.

As to how it is not viewed as an honorable depiction--I guess it depends on where your great-great-great-great-great grandparents were born.

You can start here for how some of the UIUC faculty view it: http://www.ais.illinois.edu/mascot/

Thanks Ransom. My larger point is that I think most Illini fans look at that symbol with admiration and respect. They don't want the visible depiction of the team name (I hate the term mascot in referring to Chief Illiniwek) to represent something that is derogatory or worthy of criticism. Although I am willing to admit that the qualities I find worthy of respect and admiration of Native Americans may be themselves born out of some of my own stereotypes.

[northofgreen]

Originally Posted by Ransom Stoddard

The university is not. Part of the agreement was that the likeness of Chief remain a copyright owned by the University, and that the likeness was to never again be used, licensed, etc. Remaining inventory could be sold, but nothing new could be manufactured.

As to how it is not viewed as an honorable depiction--I guess it depends on where your great-great-great-great-great grandparents were born.

You can start here for how some of the UIUC faculty view it: http://www.ais.illinois.edu/mascot/

If the University stops manufacturing Chief Illiniwek merchandise the copyright can become abandoned. The result being Chief merchandise of all kinds being manufactured. Therefore I believe that the University will manufacture t-shirts and baseball caps for a long time, essentially forever.

[illinifan4249]

There is definately still chief stuff being produced. Gameday spirit started selling hats with the chief on them this year, online only, but still they are new as far as I know.
Here is a link to their page with Chief Merchandise
http://store.cstv.com/store.cfm?dept...9&store_id=378

[HsvIllini]

Originally Posted by illinifan4249

There is definately still chief stuff being produced. Gameday spirit started selling hats with the chief on them this year, online only, but still they are new as far as I know.
Here is a link to their page with Chief Merchandise
http://store.cstv.com/store.cfm?dept...9&store_id=378

Even the official NCAA shopping site still sells it:

http://www.shopncaasports.com/NCAASp...rt_-_Navy_Blue

[GilThorpe]

Originally Posted by HsvIllini

Even the official NCAA shopping site still sells it:

http://www.shopncaasports.com/NCAASp...rt_-_Navy_Blue

if that logo is officially abandoned by the UI , then within a certain number of years (7 maybe?....perhaps a little more) it becomes public domain and anyone can sell apparel or stuff with the chief logo on it.

It is their way of continuing to "own" it.

[Illinir1]

Originally Posted by HsvIllini

Even the official NCAA shopping site still sells it:

http://www.shopncaasports.com/NCAASp...rt_-_Navy_Blue

What the ???? Someone needs to file a lawsuit against the NCAA for selling this hostile and offensive merchandise. What a farce the NCAA is.